Response to blog prompt #7

This is a "propaganda" poster produced by the CrimethInc. Ex-Workers' Collective. There are full-size, downloadable copies available on their website at www.crimethinc.com.

The CrimethInc. designers utilized a black, white and red color scheme which, to my knowledge is the most attention-grabbing color combination available. The designers also employed a bold font to convey a bold message. The text says not join or go AWOL from the U.S. military and the image is Uncle Sam throwing doll-sized soldiers at a target with "Iraq" printed above it. While I agree with their message, the image part of the design could have been simplified-- there is a lot going on in terms of detail and I think a design with less detail could have made the visual message more clear. The blurb next to this poster on CrimethInc.'s website encouraged people to post it near recruiting locations. If I were someone who didn't agree with the text I don't know that the image would have motivated me to rethink my beliefs. Additionally, as someone who knows a large number of women sign up for military service in our country, creating an image that showed women and men could reach a wider audience.

In general I respect the work that CrimethInc. does, but there are certain issues that I think they could deal with in a more sensitive way-- military issues included. I understand why they choose the images and messages they do because I tend to be a radical myself and enjoy and feel validated by their products, but I do think there is a need to preach beyond the choir and to think about tactics other than direct confrontation (and maybe the CrimethInc. Collective knows that they are great at what they do and fills that niche, and that other people can tackle educational material that appeals to more conservative audiences). Many elders in my family have served in the military and I have grown up with a sense of respect for those who would risk their safety and lives to defend our freedom. This might be a confusing statement to make, considering that I said earlier that I agree with the message of this poster. The thing is, I think our government went into the Iraq War under false pretenses and that no one should have supported the invasion of Iraq. The thing that feels touchy to me about this poster is that it visually implies that the "war machine" the text encourages the audience to "sabotage" is mindlessly killing soldiers who seem complacent to be wasted. If I were a soldier who believed the rhetoric of the recruiters I think that I would have an image of myself as a soldier with a strong sense of conviction and of the "war machine" as a noble enterprise-- and that this poster would offend me. In the Berger readings for this week we were encouraged to think of art in terms of audience and I think that CrimethInc. could reach a larger audience if they created another poster specifically aimed at recruits and recruiters that showed the "war machine" and soldiers in a way that they could feel more connected to and less offended by, simply because I think that people get defensive when they are offended (at which point the message is not internalized but rather fought against).